30. Invisible Agent (1942)
Extra of a cultural curio from the Second World Struggle than a totally realized movie, The Invisible Agent ignores the canon of the earlier Invisible Man films with the intention to present some flag-waving propaganda the place the eponymous character is definitely a hero as a substitute of a madman. That hero’s actual title is Frank Griffin (Jon Corridor), the grandson of the unique Invisible Man. Now within the Nineteen Forties, he decides to make use of the household’s secret serum to struggle the Nazis after German and Japanese spies (together with Peter Lorre in yellowface) try and torture him into giving the method to the Axis Powers. All of it sounds extra thrilling than it’s, however each bit as uncomfortable to the fashionable eye. Worst of all, although, is that it’s surprisingly boring.
29. The Mummy’s Curse (1944)
Because the second Mummy film starring Lon Chaney Jr. launched inside a yr, The Mummy’s Curse reeks a little bit of desperation by Common to squeeze out the final greenback from an oversaturated model earlier than the struggle ended. As such, the fourth and ultimate “critical” Mummy film goes via what had turn out to be the acquainted beats of every installment that includes the mum Kharis (Chaney), an undead guardian who ostensibly desires to guard the corpse of his nice love, however is generally the assault canine for interchangeable Egyptian cultists to sic on all-American heroes within the heartland. Curse provides an fascinating new aspect by making the reincarnated revenant of Kharis’ love, Princess Ananka (Virginia Christine), a serious character. Nevertheless, the movie is in an excessive amount of of a rush to get to the identical scares as final time, so it doesn’t actually do something along with her.
28. The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)
We promise we really like Lon Chaney Jr. when he’s in the proper function (as you’ll see later), and his portrayal of Kharis is completely ample as a lumbering 3,000-year-old zombie, however a lot of the mummy sequels stink, and The Mummy’s Ghost is not any exception. The primary movie to truly introduce the idea of Princess Ananka being reincarnated (performed right here by Ramsay Ames), the movie’s setup is a refreshing change of tempo, even when the movie inexplicably (and amusingly) strikes the placement of Kharis’ American adventures from New England to New Orleans and hopes nobody will discover. Sadly, nevertheless, simply when the film will get going, and Ames’ Amina begins turning into her historic self, the movie runs out of steam or price range, and abruptly ends. After 3,000 years of ready to make an entrance, she (and the movie) tripped whereas climbing out of the sarcophagus.
27. Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
Common’s ultimate Mummy film earlier than Brendan Fraser additionally marked the studio’s final image with the legendary comedy duo Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. We want all of them went out on a greater notice, however Bud and Lou have been clearly of their declining years, with the pair not even bothering to study their character names on this sendup of the Mummy films (they’d make just one extra image collectively afterward). They’re simply Abbott and Costello, misplaced in Egypt and compelled to take care of a dwelling mummy (this one renamed Klaris and performed by Eddie Parker), in addition to ostensibly Egyptian cultists praying to Amun-Ra. Just a few gags early on work, however earlier than the credit rolled, it was already a museum piece.
26. The Creature Walks Amongst Us (1956)
There’s an fascinating metaphor to the third and ultimate Creature film. After two movies about attempting to poach or research Gil-Man, the dull-as-dishwater American males of science try and treatment the inexperienced man in The Creature Walks Amongst Us. They offer him lungs, biceps, and the body of a linebacker when an operation causes him to mysteriously acquire six inches in top and 100 kilos in muscle mass. But it’s all a deceptively well-meaning try and oppress nature; to subjugate the divine mysteries to humanity’s ego, which on this case quantities to an aquatic man-servant who via all of it retains his eye for leggy brunettes. Sadly, the movie doesn’t take its metaphor to its apparent endpoint, leaving the dramatic substance of the concept to be exhumed by Guillermo del Toro half a century later. In any other case, Walks Amongst Us devolves right into a staid home drama about an sad marriage and non-amphibious house wreckers. How ‘50s.
25. The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944)
Essentially the most entertaining factor about The Invisible Man’s Revenge just isn’t the brand new invisible man, however the scientist of questionable ethics who convinces a small-time hood he ought to get additional away from his crimes. Performed with precise mustache-twirling by John Carradine, Dr. Drury isn’t precisely mad, however he appears somewhat too pleased with having an invisible canine in his home. Really, that canine is fairly nice too, chasing the brand new Invisible Man (Jon Corridor in no relation to his function because the titular Invisible Agent) just like the Grim Reaper. The Invisible Man could possibly conceal from the legislation, however from the blood scent of an aggrieved hound, he’s simply one other chew toy with a cute gimmick.